When something is ahead of the curve, that mean’s it’s ahead of it’s time.

Revolutionary.

A sign of things to come.

A cushion-shaped watch might not be a historically defining watch, but is something everyone strives to become — different.

A cushion-shaped watch is sometimes referred to as a “squircle.” Why? That’s simple. Popularized in the 1940s, this type of watch shows off its masculine appeal with a square-shaped case, but has rounded edges — a square circle.

Because of its design, it can be used for all purposes. It can be worn in a sporty fashion, as well as casually or formally.

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

Glashutte Original Sixties Iconic Square

Buying Guide Cushion Watches - Glashutte-Original-Sixties-Iconic-Square-Chronograph

This watch’s tagline is extremely fitting: “Hip to be square.” The timepieces’ style and flair derives from its namesake decade. The Sixties Iconic Square is powered by the calibre GO 39-34 and features automatic winding.

Cartier Drive-Extra Flat Watch

Buying Guide Cushion Watches - Cartier Drive Extra-Flat

This watch features a 38-by-39-millimeter white gold case for the famed watchmaker, known for memorable shapes. The watch is powered by a hand-wound movement, the calibre 430MC (Cartier’s version of Piaget’s extra-thin 430P calibre).

Piaget Polo S Automatic

PIaget Polo S Automatic

A part of the Piaget catalog since the 1970s, the Polo underwent a makeover in 2016.

It features a 42-millimeter case with a cushion-shaped dial. Sitting on the horizontally striped blue, black, or white dial are the luminous tapered indexes, luminous center hands, and a trapezoidal date window at six o’clock.

Patek Phillippe Perpetual Calendar 5940R

Buying Guide Cushion Watches - Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5940R

The extremely elegant, ultra-thin Patek perpetual calendar in a cushion shaped case now comes in pink gold to complement the line’s white gold model. The watch also features an exhibition case back to allow you to see the iconic calibre 240 with micro-rotor.

Ressence Type 12 Squared

Buying Guide Cushion Watches - Ressence Type 1 Squared

This watch from Ressence’s display is based on orbital discs with each of them displaying a separate indication. The “beyond hands” display is now housed in a cushion-shaped case that also features a flip-out lever to wind and set the watch.